November has come once again and, with it, the immediate and constant onslaught of Christmas cheer. Christmas is not a bad thing but skipping straight to it without the consideration of another time-honored tradition is just wrong. Thanksgiving comes first, despite what the songs in retail stores and decorations around town may suggest. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the last Thursday of November (in this year’s case, Nov. 24). This means that there are 31 days from Thanksgiving to Christmas morning. This should be plenty of time to roll out Christmas decorations, music and themed products. After all, 31 days are given to celebrators of Halloween. Is that not be enough for Christmas too?
Many Americans certainly enjoy Thanksgiving quite a bit, thanks to the excuse to overindulge in turkey and pie. However, other than possibly the day before when food is being prepared the most attention that Thanksgiving gets is just one single day – not even a whole day either, given that the tradition of Black Friday has come. With the shopping deals that come on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving is a bigger deal than Thanksgiving itself.
What is also irksome about the immediate switch to Christmas decorations and music on Nov. 1 is that no other holiday is given an entire two months – if not more – worth of reverence. The general public does not prepare for Halloween in September.
Christmas music can be enjoyable but it is also less than entertaining when played too soon. This is especially true when entire radio stations play strictly Christmas music. Many Christmas songs are older and there is rarely anything new to be heard from the previous year. This coupled with the fact that the entirety of all Christmas music cannot take up a full 24 hour period many people are left listening to the same songs over and over again.
One major reason why the celebration of Christmas too early can bother some people is that not everyone celebrates Christmas at all. For instance, members of the Jewish faith celebrate Hanukkah before Christmas, yet they are still forced to hear all the songs and see all the decorations that have nothing to do with how they celebrate. Perhaps this is tolerable for one whole month but there is a chance that two months get on the nerves of those who do not celebrate Christmas.
The year moves way too fast as it is and there is no reason to rush things any further. Slowing down to appreciate one or two more holidays could really help make the year seem that much better.